News for January 1st, 2009

Bear and blanket program gives comfort to kids with SJS

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and its most serious form Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are serious, life threatening conditions caused by common medication. They are defined as hypersensitivity disorders that affect the skin and mucous membranes, causing the top layer of skin to peel off in sheets and painful blisters to form on the eyes and mouth. It affects people of all ages and genders. Infants and children are not exempt. The drugs most commonly associated with and TEN in children are ibuprofen-based medications such as Children’s Motrin. Other drugs that can cause and TEN include anti-seizure medications and .

The Foundation was founded as a community for adults and children affected by the condition. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public awareness to adverse drug reactions. Tax-deductible donations help power the organizations Web site and enable its members to raise awareness of the condition and provide much needed support to others suffering from and TEN.

One of the organization’s outreach projects aims to provide comfort to the tiniest sufferers of and TEN. For a tax-deductible donation of $30, the organization provides a plush bear and blanket to a child with and TEN.

For more information about this important cause visit the SJS Foundation’s Donation Center. To participate in the bear & blanket program, send your $30 check payable to the Foundation, P.O. Box 350333
 Westminster, CO 80035-0333,
 USA. Please include Kids Comfort” in the memo section. Other donation opportunities also are detailed on the Web site.